NMSU ACADEMIC ADVISING COUNCIL (AAC)

AGENDA

Monday,January 11, 2016

Room 320, CHSS

3:00 PM-5:00 PM

Attending: AAC Meeting Officers: Letty Gallegos, Chair (College of Health & Social Services); Dr. Jennifer Hodges, Vice Chair (College of Arts & Sciences); Debra Cardinali, Secretary (College of Business), Jeff Hackney, Margo Trevino-Torres, Kristy Mason, Elizabeth Howard, Alyce Kolenovsky, Karen Pech, Stephanie Abeyta, Kristian Chervenock, Joseph Molina, Jerry Martinez, Marissa Macias, Justine Adkisson.
  1. Approval of Minutes - tabled

  1. Aggie Welcome and Orientation:
All students (including International Students) will be attending the college presentations and registration. International Student and Scholar Services reports NMSU (all campuses) received complete applications for, and admitted, 232 international undergraduates, and 112 graduates. All new International Students are required to attend a mandatory International Student Orientation on Jan 13, 2016. ISS orientation staff plan to help student set up their NMSU accounts/ emails. Students can take the MPE on Thursday, Jan 14. Stephanie stated that all transfer students should have their evaluations completed (or advisors should work directly with Shanna).
Insurance holds are on all sponsored students as well as health center holds. SPCD holds can be overridden to register student in classes. CELP testing will be held on Wednesday, Jan 13. Advisors can get the full list of placement in English from Dr. Ryan, director of CELP. Phone numbers where given if advisors need help: Kristian (6-4736), Stephanie (6-6081), Diane (6-2017). Kristian mentioned they suspect “corruption” in the testing center in the middle east.
A new date was added to the 2016 summer orientation (not live but can be added if necessary JUN 25-56 2-Day event).
Beginning in Fall 2016 there will be new admission requirement and if students don’t meet the requirement they can enroll through DACC.
AWO orientation reservation program went live on DEC 1, 2015 so that any current senior in High School can register for the 2016 Summer Orientation programs.
  1. Financial Aid Update:
Jerry Martinez spoke about Financial Aid and some changes affecting students at NMSU. Scholarships: 75% awarded on JAN 19 and 25% awarded on Feb 10. Loans: 50% on Jan 19 and 50% on Mar 10. NMSU fin aid office is working on an automated grade change process to recalculate eligibility.
Jennifer asked Jerry if advisors could get a copy of the letter that is sent to students that lets them know they are on FA probation and to let academic advisors know where students stand (i.e., suspension). Jerry stated that if a student has not met the requirements during their first semester they cannot appeal for the second semester - only mitigating circumstances will be considered. Federal rules do require an appeal. Advisors can check the SPACMNT screen in Banner regarding FA notes on a student.
Marissa asked if Financial Aid is running reports on student who repeat course. Yes, they do and students on FA probation can repeat classes. If a course doesn’t count toward their program, they cannot retake the course. FA will only accept 2 appeals. Academic Appeal deadline for fall is March 15.
The New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship is automatically awarded to qualified students beginning the second semester of their freshman year
  1. Update of To Do list from December meeting:
Quick review of progress on STAR Audit charts and wording for Early Progress grades
  1. Items to discuss with Provost at February meeting:
Provost Howard and Dr. Montoya will be at the February meeting to discuss Meta Majors. We also will bring up scheduling and minimester courses.
  1. iPass Update:
Committee is concerned about the time that it takes to organize and meet regarding the decision on what system to invest in. Some of the members want to implement a survey. Narrowed down to 2 options: Starfish or Pilot.
  1. Update on Faculty Advising Handbook - tabled

  1. ADAC Report:
Council approved the recommendation to go to ADAC regarding Automatic Holds on all transfer students including Branchfers.
  1. College Reports – ran out of time

Education
Engineering
Community Colleges
Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Business
Arts & Sciences
Health and Social Services
Meeting adjourned at 5:00

Mission

The NMSU Academic Advising Council mission is to support the advising process by setting guidelines and developing recommendations on advising policies across the university system.